England vs South Korea LIVE: Arnold Clark Cup result, final score and reaction as Lionesses storm to victory
England 4-0 South Korea: The Lionesses opened their Arnold Clark Cup campaign with an impressive win
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Your support makes all the difference.Sarina Wiegman wants to use the Arnold Clark Cup as preparation for this summer’s World Cup. She hopes to use these three games to look at new players, try out new formations, and work out plans as she attempts to turn the European Champions into World Champions. Based on tonight’s performance Wiegman’s conclusion must be that England have really, really good players.
South Korea were able opponents throughout the first half. Setting up in a low block and making it difficult for England to break them down. The Lionesses started slow, they were sluggish, and lacked creativity in the face of steadfast opponents with the sole exception being Lauren James.
Picked to partner Alessia Russo up top, James provided pace, power, and drive to work England up the pitch and get within range of the target. It was she who won England’s first half penalty – ably despatched by Georgia Stanway – and sent the Lionesses into the break with a slender lead.
Her teammates decided to match her levels in the second half. Russo and Chloe Kelly both netting within five minutes of each other to put the match beyond their Korean opponents. The game became an exhibition and England came alive. They passed the ball with speed, guile, and confidence, took shots from all areas of the pitch, and put on a second half show for the fans inside the Stadium MK.
To cap off an impressive night, James arrived on the end of a Lucy Bronze cross and slotted home a side-footed strike to the bottom corner to score her first ever international goal.
Relive the action from England’s opening match versus South Korea:
GOAL! England 3-0 South Korea (Russo, 50’)⚽️
50 mins: Already England are moving the ball quicker and look more threatening. This always seems to happen when they have a comfortable lead.
Another one! Lauren James’ deep cross comes over to Alex Greenwood on the left wing. Greenwood shifts the ball around the nearest defender then chips it into the six-yard box.
Alessia Russo lunges at the ball, gets there first and lifts it over the goalkeeper to add a third for England.
GOAL! England 2-0 South Korea (Kelly, 46’)⚽️
46 mins: There it is! 16 seconds after the restart Chloe Kelly increases England’s lead. The Lionesses drive down the left wing and play the ball inside.
Kelly takes it up on the edge of the box, lets fly and has her effort deflected over the head of Kim Jung-Mi to double England’s tally.
Second half: England 1-0 South Korea
Sarina Wiegman makes a change at the break and introduces Katie Zelem in place of Jess Carter. That’s a more aggressive move and Wiegman will want add to their lead.
HT England 1-0 South Korea
Lauren James has been England’s best player in that first half. She’s carried the ball well, passed it brilliantly and wasn’t afraid to shoot.
She won the penalty and linked-up play expertly. It’s only her third international cap.
Half-time: England 1-0 South Korea
45+3 mins: A testing and patient half for England sees them head into the break with a slender lead after a lovely run from Lauren James resulted in a penalty kick that Georgia Stanway blasted home just before half-time.
South Korea set up with a low block to keep England quiet but now they’ll have to change things up if they want to get back into the game in the second half.
England 1-0 South Korea
45 mins: There’s going to be three minutes of added time to play at the end of the first half. South Korea have opened up slightly and are pushing more players up the pitch.
It’s nothing drastic but it is a response to going behind.
England 1-0 South Korea
43 mins: England look to put the foot down with a sharp move that sees them breeze through the lines and get up the pitch. Russo holds it up before finding James who gives it to Bronze out wide.
Her cross is blocked but the ball bounces out for a corner.
GOAL! England 1-0 South Korea (Stanway, 40’)⚽️
40 mins: Pick that one out! Georgia Stanway sends England in front with a powerful strike from the penalty spot!
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